Calvin Helin's recently published Dances with Dependency is an
important contribution towards understanding the past, present, and
future challenges facing Canada's Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
populations. In a fair and balanced exposition the author traces an
historical canoe journey of Aboriginal peoples through the
centuries, first prior to the arrival of Europeans, then during the
European expansion occupation of the Americas, and finally to
modern day Canada where explosive Aboriginal demographics lie in
wait to bankrupt the country if problems are not resolved.
Author Helin demonstrates serious concern for the future while
articulating the collective pride and pain of the past, he does not
view Canada and the Aboriginal story through diatribe nor rose
coloured glasses. Nobody escapes his critical analysis in which he
never shies away from calling it as he sees it. The sting of some
of his more acerbic comments is reserved for those professional
self-servers within the circle of "Indian Politics," both
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. His verbal whip is certainly not
spared those who usurp and betray the trust of the people for their
own petty and selfish interests.
Calvin Helin clearly subscribes to Thomas Hardy's "If a way to the
better there be, it exacts a full look at the worst." and nobody
escapes the sharp focus of his insightful observations. However, he
describes a potential path to the future that avoids the
catastrophe impending demographic tsunami and offers recognition,
dignity, and self-confidence to those who have the courage to claim
their voice through hard work, enterprise, and self-reliance. He
demands transparency and accountability in the use of financial,
natural, and human resources and warns that a failure to heed the
impending tidal wave of Aboriginal youth will result in pain,
sorrow, and poverty for all.
Anyone who has watched the Byzantine federal bureaucracy bumble its
way in circles while self-interested chiefs on expense accounts
dance to the tune of the federal fiddler, will appreciate the
clarity of vision, the passion, and sardonic humour of the author.
Dances with Dependency is a milestone book that every Canadian
should read because it is about us and about our future. It's a
wake-up call for all Canadians to rise to the challenge of a better
tomorrow through enterprise building and creating sustainable
communities. The author describes some very successful Aboriginal
communities that have met the task head-on and through planning
their work and working their plan are now thriving. Calvin Helin
has given us a powerful book of history and hope that uplifts the
spirit and calls us all to create a better future.